Enugu Air has clarified that the runway excursion involving one of its aircraft at Benin Airport was neither a crash nor an emergency landing, even as industry records indicate the aircraft has been declared a total loss following the incident.
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager, Tolu Ita, said the Embraer E170, operating Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin on July 23, experienced a runway excursion after hydroplaning during landing. She stressed that all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated without injuries or fatalities.
“We are deeply grateful that all passengers and crew members are safe. Most importantly, there were no injuries and no casualties,” Ita said in a video message released by the airline.
According to her, the aircraft landed safely before hydroplaning on the wet runway during the landing roll, leading to the excursion.
“This was not a crash, nor was it an emergency landing, but it was a serious incident,” she said, urging the public to avoid misinformation while investigations continue.
Hydroplaning occurs when water builds up between an aircraft’s tyres and the runway surface, reducing tyre grip and braking effectiveness. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), however, is expected to determine whether and to what extent the phenomenon contributed to the occurrence.
Ita said Enugu Air is cooperating fully with the NSIB and other aviation authorities investigating the incident, adding that verified findings would be made public upon completion of the investigation.
“As is standard practice across the global aviation industry, a full investigation is being conducted in close collaboration with the relevant aviation agencies to establish the complete facts surrounding this occurrence. We are committed to full cooperation and will share verified updates as they become available,” she said.
Reaffirming the airline’s commitment to safety, Ita described passenger welfare as the carrier’s highest priority and thanked passengers, crew members, airport officials, emergency responders, military personnel and members of the public for their support following the incident.
Meanwhile, aircraft records published by Planespotters indicate that the 17.6-year-old Embraer ERJ-170LR, registration 5N-ENR, has been classified as “written off” after sustaining extensive structural damage during the runway excursion. In aviation, a written-off aircraft is considered damaged beyond economical repair and is permanently withdrawn from commercial service.
The aircraft, manufactured by Embraer in Brazil, first entered service with EgyptAir Express in 2009 before later joining EgyptAir. It was stored between 2020 and 2025 before being registered in Nigeria, leased to XE Jet and subsequently operated by Enugu Air.
According to the aircraft records, the impact of the runway excursion caused severe damage to the landing gear and airframe, making repairs uneconomical despite the successful evacuation of everyone on board.
The NSIB has already deployed investigators to examine the aircraft, review runway conditions, interview the flight crew and collect operational and technical evidence. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while the final report will determine the probable cause of the incident and recommend any necessary safety measures.
